Nuclear Energy Cooperation
Korea and Finland officially signed an agreement to expand cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy on October 23.
According to a statement by the Korean Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Chung Hong-won and his Finnish counterpart Jyrki Katainen signed the agreement on October 23, to be followed by preliminary discussions in Helsinki in July this year.
“The agreement will contribute to an expanded cooperation between the two countries not only in the operation of nuclear power plants but in safety, intelligence, and personnel exchanges,” read the statement.
Finland is well known to be technologically advanced in the fields of nuclear waste disposal and nuclear safety with four nuclear power plants in operation and one under construction. The Nordic country also has a plan to build two more atomic power plants. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a Korean state-run energy company, is currently taking part in the bid to build the sixth reactor in Finland.
“The agreement is expected to pave the way for Korean businesses to access the Finnish nuclear power industry more easily,” the Prime Minister’s office said.
The nuclear energy corporation agreement with Finland will become Korea’s 28th deal, following similar agreements with the US, Canada, Australia, and other nations.
Chung arrived in Finland on October 22 (local time) after the visit to Denmark. He is on an eight-day trip to the two European countries to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector.